Divine Protection

Need for Protection

Basic human need is for shelter/protection

We seek shelter/protection

shelter/homes

relationships

God

Human relationship have a limit for how much protection they can provide

God is limitless in his protection

His protection can override our dependence on the Relationship/shelter

Divine Protection provides a deep sense of comfort and peace amidst turmoil in a way that relationships/shelter comes up short.

As the story of Nativity unfolds we see an example of Divine Protection

Matthew 2:13 NASB95

13 Now when they had gone, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said, “Get up! Take the Child and His mother and flee to Egypt, and remain there until I tell you; for Herod is going to search for the Child to destroy Him.”

Divine Protection

Divine protection is found in confusing seasons

more questions than clarity

Joseph and Mary had little insight as to what was unfolding with the child

Surprised by the Shepherds

Simon and Anna

Wise Men appear

Who is this Child?!

Divine protection supersedes human intellect and ability

As these events would help them grasp the uniqueness of the child, they were unable and ill-equipped to protect Him.

With any God designed plan you need Divine Protection along the way.

Origen the Scholar

Ante-Nicene Fathers 4: Fathers of the Third Century: Tertullian, Part Fourth; Minucius Felix; Commodian; Origen, Parts First and Second Chapter LXVI

Where, then, is the absurdity in believing that He who had once become incarnate, should be led also by human guidance to keep out of the way of dangers?

When God is orchestrating a plan, He will provide the necessary protection in cooperation with our will.

Divine protection is experienced through obedience

Matthew 2:14 NASB95

14 So Joseph got up and took the Child and His mother while it was still night, and left for Egypt.

Matthew 2:19–20 NASB95

19 But when Herod died, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt, and said, 20 “Get up, take the Child and His mother, and go into the land of Israel; for those who sought the Child’s life are dead.”

Matthew 2:22 NASB95

22 But when he heard that Archelaus was reigning over Judea in place of his father Herod, he was afraid to go there. Then after being warned by God in a dream, he left for the regions of Galilee,

Obedience does not erase confusion or concerns.

Obedience guides us one step at a time and gives us a deeper sense of peace along the way.

The beauty of obedience is that we don’t require as much data, but are still able to walk a divinely ordered path!

Final Thoughts

God’s Divine protection is always there but we experience it in varying degrees.

As we learn to live with greater uncertainty, we will naturally turn to God for his protection which will be found in steps of obedience.